The FABRICATOR® is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The FABRICATOR has served the industry since 1971. Print subscriptions are free to qualified persons in North America involved in metal forming and fabricating.

Selected articles from the September 2008 issue available online:

Roll forming is a matter of two processes: shaping material using localized deformation with a large amount of material movement (in other words, bending and moving the material). Localized deformation (bending) is a permanent bend with a slight thickness reduction at the bending line. Material movement is a matter of relocating or rotating a section, either formed or unformed, without changing its shape. Although roll forming engineers often address these processes at the same time, it can be helpful to consider forming and movement separately.

Considering that raw data from the shop floor forms the basis for all production reports, companies need to eliminate possible shortfalls in collecting this data. That's where automatic data collection can help.

What kind of a difference did an automated fabricating system make for Wood Stone Corp., Bellingham, Wash.? Before the system, the company actually had more people in the shop, and they were working 10 hour days for about 4-6 months to make fewer products than are produced today.

Sculptor and fabricator Brett Richards of BR Sculpture, Chicago, got a contract to make a frame for an oval mirror—a length of square tubing bent to a perfect ellipse. Not knowing too much about the vagaries of bending tube, he figured he'd spend a few thousand dollars on a simple bender. After searching for months, he happened to see an elliptical shape made from square tubing in a vendor's booth at FABTECH.

Few people are lucky enough to turn their hobbies and passions into a satisfying and lucrative career. Even fewer have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy of historical proportions. One individual working under a canopy at historic Jamestown is doing both. Bravo, Bob Williams.

The Fabricator Blog

The college track passes right by manufacturing - by Dan Davis

As educators push for their students toward a college-prep curriculum, students are missing out on possible vocational training opportunities and the manufacturing industry is missing out on young talent.

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The Fabricator®

North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry, delivering news, technical articles, and case histories. Print subscriptions are free to qualified persons in North America involved in metal forming and fabricating.